A Hudson Valley Almanac day-trip guide
Sixty-four wineries and distilleries across sixteen counties. The Hudson Valley has the oldest continuously operating winery in America and the distillery that started New York's craft spirits movement, and many of today's makers are farms growing their own grapes, apples, and grain. This guide groups them by what they make; for county-by-county day trips, see the Beverage Trails.
Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, founded in 1839, is America's oldest continuously operating winery, with historic stone-walled cellars. Benmarl Winery in Marlboro sits on 37 acres above the Hudson and is home to the country's oldest vineyard, and Clinton Vineyards in Clinton Corners has been family-run since 1977. Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, a 130-acre estate, has been called the Hudson Valley's flagship winery.
Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery is a pioneering farm winery, cidery, and distillery on a Warwick orchard, with its sister Black Dirt Distillery nearby. Stoutridge Vineyard & Distillery in Marlboro makes wine and spirits on a limestone ridge, Magnanini Farm Winery in Wallkill adds an Italian restaurant, and KyMar Farm Winery and Distillery in Charlotteville was the first licensed distillery in Schoharie County since Prohibition. Fly Creek Cider Mill Farm Winery makes hard cider, apple wine, and spirits at the historic 1856 cider mill.
Tuthilltown Spirits in Gardiner, founded in 2003, is the birthplace of New York's craft distilling movement. On working farms, try Hillrock Estate Distillery in Ancram, Harvest Spirits in Valatie (apple vodkas and brandies), Coppersea Distilling in West Park, Taconic Distillery in Stanfordville (bourbon and whiskey), Arrowood Farms in Accord, which grows its own rye, and Strickland Hollow in Meridale, making apple brandy from its own cider apples.
Tasting room hours vary a lot by season, and many cut back in winter, so check before you go. Some require reservations on weekends. Bring a designated driver, since tastings add up fast when you visit several in one day. Farm wineries and distilleries often sell bottles you can't find in stores, which makes them great for gifts.
Explore more of the region's theme guides on Explore by Theme, or plan a day around the Beverage Trails.
Grapes on a river slope, apples in a copper still, and a bottle to take home from the farm that made it.